Lowepro CompuRover AW Camera Bag (Black)
by Lowepro
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Our Price: $189.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $140.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Lowepro CompuRover AW Camera Bag (Black)
Customer Review: But for a couple of things this would be 5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
In general, very pleased with the bag. Quite sturdy, straps are heavy duty and comfortable when carrying a lot of weight. The bag is somewhat short; and given I have a long torso, cinching up the waist belt would result in the belt riding well above my hips. Plenty of room for camera equipment; place for an SLR with medium zoom, external flash, 2nd medium zoom and accessories. I could probably fit a tele-photo zoom in as well, although I haven't tried it yet. Nice compartment for the laptop as well.
My gripes are that this is somewhat limited in using it as a combo business-laptop-camera bag. Other than the laptop area, there's no place to stash a spiral-bound notebook. Also, the upper compartment is pretty limited in size; fitting a couple of computer accessories (small graphics tablet and headset) along with noise canceling headphones, a paperback book (forget about hard-cover) and airline carry-on essentials pushes it to the limit.
Would I buy it again? Yes. Hence the 4 stars.
Customer Review: This is a decent BIG bag, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
Yes, this is a decent big bag, but in use it's just awkward. The lower portion, when fully loaded with my equipment, is difficult to open, close and just plain operate. As I am now searching for another bag, I realize I need to see the bag in person before purchasing it.Customer Review: nice all around back pack for camera and laptop
Summary: 5 Stars
After resently purchasing my first laptop I needed to find a way to carry it and my camera equipment. The CompuRover AW is an excellent solution to my needs. It does get heavy when everything is packed into it, but it offers great protection. With the laptop removed it also works well as a photo backpack. The camera protection is removeable so the bag is covertable and can be used a a day pack. It fits nicely, has a waist belt that is removable and the upper compartment has plenty of storage for snacks/lunch and a sweatshirt or jacket. Customer Review: Great bag, but it may be more than you need.
Summary: 4 Stars
Pros:
-Ample storage space
-Tripod holder stores tripod very securely
-Can carry larger laptops
-Comfortable to wear for extended periods of time
-All weather cover
Cons:
-Cumbersome shoelace design for tripod carrier
-Can't carry tripod and utilize all-weather cover
I've owned this bag for just over 2 years now and just sold it. The bag is very well made and while I didn't put it through much abuse, I am pretty certain it would hold up quite well. My main concern when choosing a bag was that it could carry my laptop, it's a bit large - about 15" x 10" x 1.5" - and the CompuRover carried it with plenty of room to spare. The bag is very comfortable even when loaded up pretty well. In a day-long trek around Chicago with my bag loaded pretty well and a tripod strapped on, I only began to feel it after several hours. Admittedly, I don't have much gear - 350D, 70-200 f4L, Tamron 18-50, plus a few small accessories - so if you have a lot of glass to haul around, it may take its toll on your back a bit quicker. One thing to consider with this bag is that it leaves quite a foot print when strapped on; more so if you're carrying a tripod. I had a difficult time negotiating my way on and off the El train to avoid hitting passengers. If you'll be in crowds then avoid carrying this bag with you - common sense, I know, with a bag this big.
The bag's storage was a big selling point as I intended to use it as a day pack as well as a camera bag. It has plenty of room for snacks, light jacket, etc. I used it many a time as a diaper bag for trips to the zoo or park with my daughter.
One of my favorite features is also one that annoyed me a bit: the tripod carrier. It was great to carry it hands-free but the carrier itself utilizes a shoelace-like cord that tied down the tripod nicely, very secure, but when trying to put in or take out the tripod the clamps on the legs and the feet on the tripod would get a bit tangled with the cord. I don't really need to get out the tripod in a hurry but it was still a bit frustrating. The way the tripod carrier is attached also still allows access to your camera gear, just make sure to keep the zippers off to one side. Another downside to the tripod carrier is that you can't utilize it with the all-weather cover; it would've been nice to have additional velcro straps on the bottom to strap in the tripod so you could still carry it with the cover in place.
Another issue I had, and don't blame this on the bag, is I couldn't arrange the dividers in the bottom compartment in a fashion that allows me to carry my camera with the 70-200 attached and still have the dividers be sturdy enough to carry my other lens and gear securely. It may have been my lack of creativity with rearranging them, but the lack of rigidity in the dividers played a part I think. Again, not knocking the bag for this as it may have just been a lack of trying on my part.
I actually just sold the bag in favor of something smaller/lighter. I realized I don't really carry my laptop and tripod with me, but did want a bag that can carry my body + 70-200 attached and will allow quicker access. I'm giving the Slingshot 300 a try. Lowepro also has the FastPack 350 which has the quicker access and laptop storage but it gives up the tripod carrier and all-weather cover. The tripod carrier I don't need, but I can't give up the all-weather cover and the FastPack is only *slightly* smaller than the CompuRover.
Overall, I was very satisfied with my CompuRover experience, but ultimately I think I over estimated my needs so it just wasn't exactly the right bag for me but it worked out great when I could utilize it properly.
Customer Review: Awesome Bag - one minor issue
Summary: 4 Stars
We owned the predecessor to this bag and loved it. When I found out that they now had one with a built in laptop compartment I was really excited to get one. In the past we had used the older version of this case as a carry-on for airline travel and getting the laptop in and out was terrible as it really was not built for that. This new case has the perfect compartment with easy access for the laptop. It kept all of the storage space of the old bag (which was a lot to start with). We use a digital SLR with two lenses and a large flash along with all of the remotes and gear that go with it(including a tripod). There is even a storage are on top of the camera section for stuff(lunches, light jackets, snacks, etc). We have no problem getting it all in the backpack. You can even store the camera with either lense attached and still close the case. The backpack protects everything well as we did have a person fall on it once and nothing was broken. The only drawback that we can find to this is the zippers that gives you access to the camera. They are very well constructed just like the old bag but because of where they are located they are somewhat difficult to move at times. We hope that as time goes by they will break in and work more freely. For a casual photographer with the same basic equipment we have you cannot go wrong.